{"id":127739,"date":"2026-01-20T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=127739"},"modified":"2026-01-20T08:00:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:00:10","slug":"what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Pre-Emergent Herbicides? (Weed Prevention Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tired of pulling weeds every weekend? <strong>Pre-emergent herbicide stops weeds before they start<\/strong>, creating an invisible barrier in your soil that prevents weed seeds from sprouting.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The catch? Timing is everything. Apply too early or too late, and you&#8217;ve wasted your time and money. Apply at the right time, and you&#8217;ll prevent most weeds from ever appearing in your lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide explains what pre-emergents are, how they work, when to apply them, and which products actually work.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don&#8217;t want to worry about timing?<\/strong> LawnStarter&#8217;s lawn treatment pros apply pre-emergent herbicide at exactly the right time for your area. We create a weed barrier so you never see crabgrass, dandelions, or other weeds in the first place. <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">Get a free lawn treatment quote<\/a> and take weed control off your to-do list.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-3ae60ca0-3117-404f-a586-8966800edd6e\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:\u00a0<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#0-what-is-pre-emergent-herbicide\" style=\"\">What is Pre-Emergent Herbicide?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#1-how-does-pre-emergent-work\" style=\"\">How Does Pre-Emergent Work?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#2-when-to-apply-pre-emergent\" style=\"\">When to Apply Pre-Emergent<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#3-types-of-pre-emergent-herbicides\" style=\"\">Types of Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#4-selective-vs-non-selective-pre-emergents\" style=\"\">Selective vs. Non-Selective Pre-Emergents<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#5-how-to-choose-the-right-pre-emergent\" style=\"\">How to Choose the Right Pre-Emergent<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#6-best-pre-emergent-products\" style=\"\">Best Pre-Emergent Products<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#7-faq-about-pre-emergent-herbicides\" style=\"\">FAQ About Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u25cf Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weeds from sprouting above the soil.<br>\u25cf You need both spring and fall applications, which last 8-12 weeks.<br>\u25cf Apply BEFORE weeds sprout. Once you see weeds, it&#8217;s too late for pre-emergent.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-what-is-pre-emergent-herbicide\">What is Pre-Emergent Herbicide?<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"515\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pre-Emergent-Herbicide-Infographic_Lawnstarter_Update01-01-1.jpg\" alt=\"infographic for Pre-Emergent Herbicide\" class=\"wp-image-127599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pre-Emergent-Herbicide-Infographic_Lawnstarter_Update01-01-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pre-Emergent-Herbicide-Infographic_Lawnstarter_Update01-01-1-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pre-Emergent-Herbicide-Infographic_Lawnstarter_Update01-01-1-656x422.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pre-Emergent-Herbicide-Infographic_Lawnstarter_Update01-01-1-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pre-Emergent-Herbicide-Infographic_Lawnstarter_Update01-01-1-768x494.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Aris Berroya<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pre-emergent herbicide is weed prevention<\/strong> \u2014 it stops weeds <em>before<\/em> they grow above the soil. Think of it as an invisible shield that prevents weed seeds from sprouting.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key differences:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Pre-emergent<\/strong> prevents weeds from sprouting (apply <em>before<\/em> you see weeds).<\/li>    <li><strong>Post-emergent<\/strong> kills weeds already growing (apply <em>after<\/em> you see weeds).<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> It&#8217;s much easier to prevent 100 weeds than to kill 100 weeds. Pre-emergents save you countless hours of weeding and keep your lawn looking clean all season.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-how-does-pre-emergent-work\">How Does Pre-Emergent Work?<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When applied to soil, a pre-emergent herbicide creates a chemical barrier just below the surface. This barrier disrupts weed seed germination by stopping either roots or shoots from growing, or sometimes both.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Either way, the weed dies before you ever see it. <strong>Most pre-emergents work for 8-12 weeks <\/strong>(check product label). That&#8217;s why you need both spring and fall applications for year-round weed prevention.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pre-emergents ONLY work on seeds that haven&#8217;t sprouted yet. Once you see a weed growing, it&#8217;s too late \u2014 you&#8217;ll need a post-emergent weed killer instead.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-apply-pre-emergent-herbicide\/\">How to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-when-to-apply-pre-emergent\">When to Apply Pre-Emergent<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/herbicides.jpeg\" alt=\"A man is spraying weed killer herbicide on green grass.\" class=\"wp-image-138629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/herbicides.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/herbicides-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/herbicides-656x438.jpeg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/herbicides-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/herbicides-768x513.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pre-emergent herbicide spray. <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/man-spraying-weed-killer-herbicide-on-green-grass-residential-yard-landscaper-using-pump-chemical-pesticide-sprayer-for-lawn-weed-control\/1393394499\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scott Habermann<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applying pre-emergents at the wrong time wastes money and leaves weeds everywhere in your yard. Herbicides that are applied too early may break down before they have a chance to stop weed seeds from germinating, but herbicides that are applied too late won\u2019t have any effect at all.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/when-to-apply-pre-emergent-herbicide\/\">when to apply pre-emergent herbicide<\/a> helps you time your spring and fall applications just right.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spring application: <\/strong>To prevent summer weeds, apply when the soil temperature reaches <strong>50-55 degrees F<\/strong>. This is typically late February through April, depending on your location.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What spring application prevents:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Crabgrass<\/li>    <li>Dandelions<\/li>    <li>Foxtail<\/li>    <li>Ragweed<\/li>    <li>Spurge<\/li>    <li>Sandbur<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fall application:<\/strong> To prevent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/common-winter-weeds\/\">common winter weeds<\/a>, apply pre-emergents when<strong> <\/strong>the soil temperature drops to <strong>70 degrees F<\/strong>. This is typically late August through September.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What fall application prevents:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Poa annua (annual bluegrass)<\/li>    <li>Chickweed<\/li>    <li>Henbit<\/li>    <li>Persian speedwell<\/li>    <li>Cheatgrass<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Both spring and fall application: <\/strong>Some weeds need both spring and fall treatment, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-clover-not-kill-grass\/\">clover<\/a> and spurge, so for complete control, apply pre-emergent in both spring and fall.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-kill-winter-weeds\/\">How to Kill Winter Weeds<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-of-crabgrass\/\">How to Get Rid of Crabgrass in Your Yard<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-of-dandelions\/\">How to Get Rid of Dandelions<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-chickweed\/\">How to Get Rid of Chickweed<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-of-cheatgrass\/\">How to Get Rid of Cheatgrass<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-types-of-pre-emergent-herbicides\">Types of Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/granular-herbicide-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Two plastic bags of granular pre emergent product sit on green lawn beside a push spreader, ready for application to prevent weed growth.\" class=\"wp-image-121631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/granular-herbicide-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/granular-herbicide-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/granular-herbicide-1-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/granular-herbicide-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Granular pre-emergent herbicide. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/bags-of-lawn-fertilizer-and-herbicide-with-broadcast-spreader-in-yard-with-healthy-grass-lawn-care-weed-control-and-landscaping-concept\/799145291?asset_id=799145291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">JJ Gouin<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pre-emergent herbicides come in liquid or granular form, each with its own pros and cons.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below is a chart showing the differences between them, which can help you decide which type of pre-emergent herbicide is best for you.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Liquid Pre-Emergents<\/strong> <br>(Best for pros)<\/td><td>\u2713 Spreads evenly&nbsp;<br>\u2713 Works faster than granular<br>\u2713 Better coverage<\/td><td>\u2717 Must mix with water before applying<br>\u2717 Requires sprayer equipment<br>\u2717 More preparation time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Granular Pre-Emergents<\/strong> <br>(Best for homeowners)<\/td><td>\u2713 Easy to apply with a spreader<br>\u2713 No mixing required<br>\u2713 Longer shelf life<br>\u2713 Often combined with fertilizer<\/td><td>\u2717 Works slower (needs water to activate)<br>\u2717 Less even coverage<br>\u2717 Limited to where the granules land<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-selective-vs-non-selective-pre-emergents\">Selective vs. Non-Selective Pre-Emergents<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Selective pre-emergent herbicides<\/strong> prevent weeds without harming grass or most ornamental plants. They\u2019re best for lawns, flower beds, and around shrubs and trees. Most homeowners use selective herbicides to prevent weeds.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common selective pre-emergent ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Prodiamine<\/li>    <li>Pendimethalin<\/li>    <li>Dithiopyr<\/li>    <li>Benefin<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Non-selective pre-emergents <\/strong>prevent ALL seeds from germinating \u2014 weeds AND desired plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Non-selective pre-emergents are best for areas where you want nothing to grow. Use these herbicides only in specific situations.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Warning:<\/strong> <em>Never <\/em>use non-selective pre-emergents on your lawn, or you&#8217;ll prevent grass from growing.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-how-to-choose-the-right-pre-emergent\">How to Choose the Right Pre-Emergent<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"551\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/herbicide-spray-1.jpg\" alt=\"Professional uses pump sprayer to apply liquid pre emergent herbicide along lawn edge near hedge, wearing gloves and protective pants.\" class=\"wp-image-127426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/herbicide-spray-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/herbicide-spray-1-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/herbicide-spray-1-656x452.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/herbicide-spray-1-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/herbicide-spray-1-768x529.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spraying pre-emergent herbicide. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/weedicide-spray-on-weeds-garden-spraying-1660996885\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With so many herbicide products available on the market, it\u2019s difficult to know which one is right for your yard.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some factors you should consider:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Lawn size<\/li>    <li>Type of weeds you have<\/li>    <li>Equipment you have<\/li>    <li>How much time you have for prep work<\/li>    <li>Organic vs. chemical<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/natural-weed-killers-a-guide-to-organic-herbicides\/\">Organic Herbicides: A Comprehensive Guide<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-best-pre-emergent-products\">Best Pre-Emergent Products<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Determining the best pre-emergent product depends on the types of weeds growing in your yard, the type of herbicide you prefer (synthetic vs. organic\/granular vs. liquid), and your grass type, among other considerations.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help you find the right pre-emergent product for your yard, here is a list of <strong>selective, granular herbicides<\/strong> you can use to prevent weeds in your lawn:&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Best for crabgrass prevention: <\/strong>Scotts Halts Crabgrass &amp; Grassy Weed Preventer<\/li>    <li><strong>Best organic option: <\/strong>Espoma Organic Weed Preventer<\/li>    <li><strong>Best for Bermudagrass lawns: <\/strong>The Andersons 0.48% Barricade<\/li>    <li><strong>Best for landscapes: <\/strong>Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer<\/li>    <li><strong>Best combination (weed control + fertilizer): <\/strong>Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer plus Green-Up<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some homeowners might prefer a liquid pre-emergent herbicide over broadcasting a granular herbicide. The <strong>best liquid pre-emergent <\/strong>is<strong> <\/strong>BioAdvanced Season Long Weed Control for Lawns.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> To prevent crabgrass, look for products with prodiamine, pendimethalin, or dithiopyr as the active ingredient.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-apply-crabgrass-preventer\/\">When and How to Apply Crabgrass Preventer<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/read-your-weeds-identifying-weeds-lawn-health\/\">Read Your Weeds: Identify Them to Learn About Your Lawn\u2019s Health<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-faq-about-pre-emergent-herbicides\">FAQ About Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1765212039668\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How Soon Can I Mow After Applying Pre-Emergent?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Wait 1-2 days after application. If you need to mow, do it before applying pre-emergent.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1765212045135\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I Apply Pre-Emergent and Grass Seed at the Same Time?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Pre-emergent <strong>prevents all seeds from germinating<\/strong>, including grass seed. Wait 12 weeks after applying pre-emergent before overseeding, or overseed first and wait 6-8 weeks before applying pre-emergent.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1765212052785\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How Long Should I Stay Off the Lawn After Applying?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Usually 24 hours, but check the product label. Keep children and pets away until you&#8217;ve watered it in (for granular) or until dry (for liquid).<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-let-lawnstarter-handle-weed-prevention\">Let LawnStarter Handle Weed Prevention<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pre-emergent success requires:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Monitoring soil temperatures<\/li>    <li>Applying at exactly the right time<\/li>    <li>Choosing the right product for your grass type<\/li>    <li>Applying evenly<\/li>    <li>Reapplying at proper intervals<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Miss any of these, and you&#8217;ll spend your summer pulling weeds.<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LawnStarter&#8217;s lawn treatment pros:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Apply pre-emergent at optimal timing for your area<\/li>    <li>Use professional-grade products<\/li>    <li>Create complete weed barrier coverage<\/li>    <li>Include pre-emergent in comprehensive lawn treatment plans<\/li>    <li>Guarantee weed prevention results<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">Get a free quote for weed control \u2192<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stop weeds before they start. Let pros handle the timing so you never see weeds in the first place.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-weed-growth-in-lawn\/\">How to Prevent Weeds from Growing in Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/guide-weed-control-yard\/\">Guide to Weed Control in Your Yard<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-a0cddddd-9539-4620-8930-1a3d66bfac44\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-a0cddddd-9539-4620-8930-1a3d66bfac44\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-a0cddddd-9539-4620-8930-1a3d66bfac44\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-a0cddddd-9539-4620-8930-1a3d66bfac44\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/weeds.ces.ncsu.edu\/weeds-teaching\/landscape-weed-management\/preemergence-herbicides\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lectures 5 &amp; 6: Preemergence Herbicides<\/a>.\u201d Joe Neal, professor of weed science and Extension specialist. NC State Extension.<\/li>    <li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/news\/pain-in-the-grass-crabgrass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pain in the Grass: Crabgrass<\/a>.\u201d By Erin Hill, weed science diagnostician, and Kevin Frank, turf Extension specialist. Michigan State University.<\/li>    <li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/aggieturf.tamu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/Preemergence-Herbicide-Guide-4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Preemergence Herbicides for the Home Lawn<\/a>.\u201d By Becky Grubbs, assistant professor and Extension turfgrass specialist. Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Extension.<\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: Liquid pre-emergent herbicide spray. Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/spraying-herbicide-from-the-nozzle-to-para-grass-weeds\/335331140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kritchai<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pre-emergent herbicides create a chemical barrier that prevents weeds from germinating, stopping weeds before they sprout in your lawn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":127746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-127739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-2","tag-weed-control"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/herbicide-spray.jpeg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Danielle Gorski","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/danielle-gorskilawnstarter-com\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What are Pre-Emergent Herbicides? 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Her favorite part about her yard is decorating it for the holiday season.","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/danielle-gorskilawnstarter-com\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#faq-question-1765212039668","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#faq-question-1765212039668","name":"How Soon Can I Mow After Applying Pre-Emergent?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Wait 1-2 days after application. If you need to mow, do it before applying pre-emergent.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#faq-question-1765212045135","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#faq-question-1765212045135","name":"Can I Apply Pre-Emergent and Grass Seed at the Same Time?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Pre-emergent <strong>prevents all seeds from germinating<\/strong>, including grass seed. Wait 12 weeks after applying pre-emergent before overseeding, or overseed first and wait 6-8 weeks before applying pre-emergent.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#faq-question-1765212052785","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-are-pre-emergent-herbicides\/#faq-question-1765212052785","name":"How Long Should I Stay Off the Lawn After Applying?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually 24 hours, but check the product label. Keep children and pets away until you've watered it in (for granular) or until dry (for liquid).","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127739\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/127746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}